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The White House renewed warnings to Iran over a nuclear deal while Tehran and Moscow announced joint naval drills, as Israel reportedly prepares for a potential Iranian first strike, and as Gulf and Central Asian states pledged more than $7bn for Gaza relief under Trump’s Board of Peace initiative.

Elsewhere, the EU outlined proposals for a broader Russian troop withdrawal in a potential Ukraine settlement, President Zelensky rejected any pullback from Donbas in stalled talks, and NATO allies remain divided over reported US plans to scale back foreign missions.

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Top 5 Stories

1️⃣ 🇺🇸🇮🇷 US renews strike warning as Iran and Russia announce drills: The White House warned Iran to make a nuclear deal or face possible military action as Tehran and Moscow announced joint naval exercises in the Sea of Oman. Washington continues a regional military buildup while Iran insists on its right to uranium enrichment and rejects limits on its missile programme.

2️⃣ 🇮🇱🇮🇷 Israel prepares for potential Iranian first strike: Israel is reportedly preparing for a scenario in which Iran could attack first amid heightened US-Iran tensions. The IDF has been on high alert since January focusing on air defense and contingency plans, though the report cited unnamed sources and provided no details explaining the assessment.

3️⃣ 🇰🇿🇦🇿🇶🇦🇸🇦 Trump Board expands with Gulf and Central Asian states: Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, UAE, Morocco, Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Uzbekistan and Kuwait pledged over $7bn for Gaza relief at the first Board of Peace meeting. The US said reconstruction depends on Hamas disarmament and plans move forward for a new transitional Palestinian security force.

4️⃣ 🇺🇸🇳🇦🇹🇴 US pushes NATO “reset” on foreign missions: The Trump administration is reported pressing NATO to scale back out-of-area operations, including ending its Iraq advisory mission and potentially winding down KFOR in Kosovo in a move diplomats described as a “return to factory settings”. No final decisions have been taken and allies remain divided.

5️⃣ 🇹🇷🇸🇴🇪🇹 Turkey rejects Israel’s recognition of Somaliland: President Erdogan opposed Israel’s recognition of Somaliland during a visit to Ethiopia, warning of regional instability. Meanwhile, Addis Ababa renewed calls for sea access and asked Ankara for diplomatic support, while Somaliland urged Turkey not to inflame tensions.

Major Story

🇪🇺 EU calls emergency meeting over Hungary-Slovakia fuel halt

The European Commission has convened an extraordinary Oil Coordination Group meeting after Hungary and Slovakia stopped diesel supplies to Ukraine following a Russian attack on the Druzhba pipeline in Ukrainian territory. Budapest and Bratislava, which depend on Russian crude delivered through the pipeline, accused Kyiv of deliberately slowing repairs, while the Commission said it was in contact with Ukrainian authorities but was not exerting pressure. Hungary requested access to seaborne Russian oil via Croatia’s Adriatic pipeline as an alternative route, a proposal Croatia rejected. 

The Commission stated that Hungary and Slovakia have adequate oil reserves and face no immediate supply risk, but voiced concern over Ukraine’s energy security as it endures blackouts and heating disruptions amid continued Russian strikes. Hungary and Slovakia warned they could expand measures to electricity and gas, as Ukraine urged them to end reliance on Russian fuels and both governments pursue legal challenges against EU legislation mandating a phaseout of Russian fossil fuels by 2027.

Other News

1️⃣ 🇪🇺🇷🇺 EU seeks wider Russian troop withdrawal in Ukraine deal: The EU is proposing that Russia withdraw forces from Belarus, Georgia, Armenia and Transnistria and remove nuclear weapons from Belarus as part of a potential peace settlement, alongside reparations and war crimes accountability measures. Officials described the demands as maximalist and subject to discussion.

2️⃣ 🇺🇸🇪🇺 US launches portal to bypass European content restrictions: The US has built freedom.gov, a portal reportedly administered by CISA that aims to help users circumvent European content controls. The move has prompted criticism from former officials over privacy and governance concerns, while the state department denied operating a Europe-specific circumvention programme.

3️⃣ 🇺🇦🇷🇺 Zelensky refuses Donbas withdrawal in stalled talks: President Zelensky said Ukraine will not withdraw from Donbas or cede territory as US-brokered talks remain deadlocked on political issues. He noted progress on ceasefire monitoring discussions but insisted any settlement must include strong security guarantees and European involvement.

4️⃣ 🇵🇸🇮🇱 Hamas reasserts control in Gaza after ceasefire: Residents and traders say Hamas has restored policing, taxation and administrative oversight across much of Gaza since the October ceasefire. Israeli officials insist reconstruction depends on full disarmament and Hamas says it is prepared to address weapons within the framework of Trump’s plan.

5️⃣ 🇺🇸🇵🇸 Board of Peace members pledge $7bn for Gaza relief: Countries participating in Trump’s Board of Peace committed over $7bn toward Gaza reconstruction, with additional UN and Fifa pledges announced. Plans hinge on Hamas disarmament and the creation of a new vetted Palestinian security force, though no evidence was presented that Hamas is ready to surrender its weapons.

6️⃣ 🇫🇷🇪🇺 France says Commission lacked mandate at Board of Peace: France criticised the European Commission for sending Commissioner Dubravka Šuica to observe the first Board of Peace meeting without member state approval. The Commission defended the move as necessary to protect the EU’s role in Gaza reconstruction and said it would not join as a member.

7️⃣ 🇬🇧 Former Prince Andrew arrested over Epstein-linked probe: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor was arrested and released under investigation on suspicion of misconduct in public office tied to alleged sharing of trade information with Jeffrey Epstein. Police confirmed no charges have been filed and the king stated the law must take its course.

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